Litter & traveling is a nightmare.  You end up with water-soaked litter in
the carrier, the ferret's bedding, and on your car's upholstery.  And
guess who's going to get to clean that up.
 
Hang a hammock from the vent holes in the carrier.  Place a triple layer
of paper towels in the back on the floor.
 
Carry a supply of paper towels, baby wipes and ziploc bags.  Ziploc bags
make for easy and sanitary poop disposal.  Baby wipes clean the plastic
and prevent the formation of ammonia.
 
In a larger carrier, you can find a plastic box (Sterlite, Rubbermaid,
etc.) that fits (and fills) the back of the carrier and cut down the front
side, or find the rare mid-sized litter pans at some pet stores.  AGAIN,
use PAPER TOWELS, NOT LITTER, or you'll find yourself spending more time
cleaning the carrier than enjoying your trip.
 
A hammock in the carrier acts as a "car seat", absorbing the shocks of
bumps and sudden stops.
 
SEAT BELT (or ratchet strap) the carrier down.  You don't need a flying
carrier hitting you in the back of the head in an accident.  It IS enough
impact to break your neck.
 
Fill water bowls (not bottles) only 1/3 full.  Carry TWO SEPARATE supplies
of food and water.  Carry TWICE the amount of any ferret medications for
the length of time you plan to be gone.  Carry HAIRBALL REMEDY.  Accidents
are more likely to happen in a strange environment than at home.
 
Leave the carrier set up as for a trip and open during your fuzzies
play-time.  Let them get used to the carrier and it's accessories being
part of their "normal territory".
 
Begin traveling with short trips, 15 to 30 minutes.  On longer trips, you
should stop & allow exercise every 3 hours ALWAYS on a SNUG fitting H-TYPE
harness.  Do NOT allow ferrets to explore puddles of standing water,
highway-side litter, or other animal poop.
 
ALWAYS keep distemper shots of traveling ferrets up to date.  ALWAYS carry
rabies certificates WITH traveling ferrets.  Some states require the vet's
SIGNATURE... not just a photo-copy of his signature.  In many states, a
visible wound is NOT NECESSARY to file a claim of "animal bite".
 
If ferrets must be left in the car, someone should stay in the car with
them, or the car should be parked IN THE SHADE where you can hear the
motor running.  Sunshine on a carrier can HEAT UP the interior of the
carrier, even though the car's interior is cool.
 
If ferrets are allowed to exercise inside the car (while the car is
stopped) the entire car must be ferretproofed.  TAKE HARNESSES/COLLARS OFF
for in-car exercise to avoid getting caught in seat sliding mechanisms.
Check for access to dash (stuff with pillows or small cushions), check for
foam under seats (cover with screen wire), check for access to under back
seat (where there may be access holes to the trunk).  Place cell phones (&
cords), syrofoam food containers, and open bags out of ferret access.
 
NEVER, NEVER, NEVER ask someone to watch your fuzzies for you on a trip
(unless they're experienced ferret owners themselves).
 
For more extensive information, email for a free copy of "Traveling While
Fuzzy."
 
Debi Christy
Ferrets First Foster Home
(who has been well trained in the science of ferret travel by the very
demanding and travel-smart Roxie.)
[Posted in FML issue 3555]